A STONE hut and caravan used by a bee keeper can be kept on a wooded Greenbelt site.
Planning officers have granted a lawful development certificate to Mick Greenwood that will allow him to keep the structures on land at Greenwood Wood, between Ilkley and Addingham, and replace the caravan with a newer model.
An application to Bradford Council says the caravan has been there for over 15 years - dating back to when the previous owner ran a bee keeping business there, while the hut has been there 90 years.
The application says the bee-keeping business is now being re-introduced to the site by the new owner, but a lawful development certificate is needed to keep the structures on site.
Redevelopment of "dated" Menston social club site approved
Such a certificate is granted when Council officers are confident structures have been on site such as this for a considerable length of time without causing any issues.
Planning officers said there was no evidence of any planning permissions for the site, but that the features had been there for a "significant length of time" and could be retained.
On the stone hut they said: "As a single skin building, lacking any utilities, it is not suitable for permanent occupation, but the applicant's description of it as a shelter and store that has supported the use of the land for bee keeping and coppicing seems credible.
"The appearance of the shelter strongly suggests a structure that has existed for a long time.
"On the balance of probability, the evidence is sufficient to justify the grant of a certificate for the development."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here